More hats tossed in ring for Davis' seat in House

Five Republicans now officially in race to fill Jo Ann Davis' seat

By CHELYEN DAVIS

Date published: 10/20/2007

The list of 1st District congressional candidates continues to grow.

Jim Bowden of Poquoson, chairman of the district's Republican committee, yesterday announced that he will resign that post to run for the seat left vacant by Rep. Jo Ann Davis' death from breast cancer earlier this month.

Gloucester Republican Sherwood Bowditch also joined the race yesterday. And former Loudoun County Del. Dick Black, who has rented a house and moved to the Fredericksburg area, announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination.

They join two other Republicans: Davis' widower, Chuck Davis and Spotsylvania housing advocate Dave Caprara, who both made official announcements this week.

Bowden sent out a letter that he also posted on his blog, saying that to remain as chairman while he's seeking the seat through a nomination process run by the committee he chaired would be "unseemly."

He's actually required to resign his chairmanship to run, but said he didn't know that when he first told Republicans he would step down.

Bowditch is a former chairman of the Gloucester County Republican Committee, and is executive director of the Virginia Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. He said the district's military and defense installations would be his primary focus.

Black, in a news release, said he is officially running for the seat based on the "strong support and urging of many friends" in the district.

Other candidates considering a run include Williamsburg businessman Paul Jost, who lost the GOP nomination for the seat to Jo Ann Davis in 2001.

The 1st District, which runs from Fredericksburg to Newport News, leans Republican. No Democratic candidates have announced.

Republicans are expected to hold a convention to choose their nominee to serve the final year of Davis' term.

Gov. Tim Kaine has to set a date for a special election. It is likely to be held in Decem-ber.

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Date published: 10/20/2007